Joe said: >>>Some of the orgs involved with wilderness rescue have been recommending something like this for hypothermia. --Specifically black trashbags. Problem with rescue blankets is that the patient has already lost a lot of body heat, so the reflectance will only minimize further loss. The trashbag is more of a black-body radiation absorber, so might return some heat to the victim...<<< Interesting recommendation. Makes sense I guess. If I was on my own, hypothermic-like, and my space blanket unable to reflect back non-existent body heat, well, then, I'd probably just jump back in the water and get it over with. Seriously though, I think the space blanket is usually sufficient. I carry a small, lightweight one in my rescue-access gear, plus the small trashbag, though in an orange colour as a back-up signal for help to get a would-be rescuers attention. I carry the heavier duty orange outdoor bag on the kayak deck in a net bag, along with a heavier version of a space blanket, which works well for loading the kayak on sandy beaches, etc, too. I do consider land-based and immersion hypothermia as my biggest enemies on this coast, here where I paddle anyway. If I were into tropical paddling, then it would be anti-bacterial fungicide and sunblock :-) I may come across as a bit crazy in my posts, but I take the risk of cold water very seriously, as do most of my friends that seek out rougher water. I assure you we would deny knowledge of any auditory or visual hallucinations egging us onward toward some siren-induced doom, nor would there be any suicidality or homicidality extant. No, just looking for life-defining moments and existential jubilation embracing tempestuous circumstances where skills and savvy play a major part in one's survival. However, cold conditions are nothing to be trifled with. Now, how did I get off on that tangent... Doug Lloyd Victoria BC *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Oct 30 2003 - 06:32:15 PST
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